Comedian Bill Maher On Islamaphobia: 'The More You Know, The More You'd Be Afraid'

HBO's political commentator Bill Maher recently stepped up his criticism of Islam. Facebook

Comedian and television political pundit Bill Maher recently increased his criticism of Islam, saying on his Jan. 29 "Real Time With Bill Maher" HBO show, "I'm sorry to say it, but the more you know [about Islam], the more you would be afraid."

He said liberals should stand with progressives within the Muslim world, and not be so quick to label critics as Islamaphobic. "I think liberals have to stop insisting the world is the way they want it to be, instead of the way the world is."

He referenced an Oregon-based musician who claimed he was planning to host a concert in Iran to help lessen tension. "Uh, James, don't go," said Maher. "You cannot just think that the reality that exists in your head is the reality in the world."

After the terrorist attacks on San Bernadino, Maher said he kept hearing people say, "If we only knew more about Islam, we wouldn't be so afraid. Actually, it's the reverse."

Saying "Islamaphobe," just helps the enabler, proclaimed Maher, whose guest, Thom Hartmann, author of "The Crash of 2016," said more Americans need to support groups, such as Muslims For Progressive Values, who are working for human rights.

The HBO host said there's a difference between tolerance and capitulation, reports Fox News Insider.

The world shouldn't cater to the "backwards" culture of Islam, he said, criticizing the action taken in Rome to cover nude statues to accommodate a visit by the Iranian president.

"It's one thing to be tolerant of another culture, but this is our culture. We shouldn't change our culture to a more backward culture, should we?"

Maher was born in New York City, raised in New Jersey, and now lives in California. He attended Cornell University.